Towards my exposure to the factors that help towards managing technology within the classroom and various learning institutions, I have found that I still have limited views towards what contributes towards the digital learning environment. The dissertations that I selected for this review were elements that I saw as a few of the big factors that are a part of a “flipped classroom.” Reviewing these dissertations gives me a better knowledge base towards the technology that is gradually progressing within modern education practices. Within this review, I will be examining the work on dissertations that evaluates effective blogging throughout the classroom, a study on iPads in the classroom environment, and the benefits as well as efficiency that comes out of a flipped classroom.
Dissertation #1
A case study of classroom blogging in the support of third through fifth grade literacy and technology skills
This qualitative study examines blogging as a means to assist 3rd through 5th grade teachers in implementing blogging practices into their reading, writing, and literacy classes. Blogging is examined as an efficient means for students to combine an advancement in skills towards technology and literacy. An important factor towards the study start of this study is how the teachers perceived blogging as an instructional method. After inquiry about the perception of blogging within the classroom from the teachers, five students from each classroom were selected and gave their inquiry on their perception of blogging in the classroom. The inquiry gave teachers a better idea on how their students felt about blogging as a form of literacy instruction. After participation in the blogging study, teachers and students gave insight to others that showed interest into the blogging community. The results of the study showed that teachers found blogging as an effective method in strengthening and enhancing skills in literacy and technology. The students were positive towards blogging and found it as a more favorable means of learning about literacy in the classroom.
Review
The study on blogging gave what I believe a thorough synopsis on the community of what blogging presents for elementary learners. Examples of blogging sites were presented as well as effective blogging practices were presented as a means to enhance the purpose of the study. Technology and web 2.0 tools were evaluated in providing resources that assisted with resources to help develop blogging techniques for teachers as well as students. The grade level of students were appropriate for this study as it motivated 3rd through 5th grade students to become more actively engaged with the blogging process. The results of this study found blogging as a positive means to support literacy instruction.
Dissertation #2
Digital course materials: A case study of the Apple iPad in the academic environment
The innovation of the Apple iPad brings interest towards the resources that reinforce classroom learning and instruction. This was a qualitative research study where the intention was to discover how the iPad enhances student learning. A student and focus group were selected to participate in a survey from questions that derived from the learning principles that would make the iPad appropriate as a tool for learning. The research study concentrated more on the understanding on the iPad as an instructional aide som it could be used properly to support educational initiatives throughout the classroom.
Review
In evaluating the study, it was found that the electronic resources within the iPad were as good, if not better, than any printed course materials that were previously used. Since the iPad is a tool that supports digital learning, the perception of how it would increase the function of augmented learning and study within the classroom. Observation within the study showed the unimportance of comprehension, student participation, as well as techniques in writing. The various applications within the iPad were viewed as beneficial towards the course materials that would be needed to help support student learning. As far as literacy is concerned, the e-reader and electronic text capabilities that the iPad supports helps prove its usefulness in reading, writing, and literacy. After the dissertation, it was recommended to iPad programmers and developers that since more iPads would soon be more actively used because of its beneficial features for student engagement and learning, that applications to support these objectives should be created.
The study within this dissertation makes a comparison of two traditional classrooms to two flipped-classrooms at the fifth grade level. A mixed methods quantitative research was used in implementing this study. The completion of homework and the achievement of the students between the two traditional classrooms and the two flipped-classrooms were used to make the quantitative comparison. The definition of the flipped-classroom incorporated the use of the teachers giving instruction through the use of videos for the students to use to complete homework assignments given by the teacher. The completion of the homework assignments was used to measure how effectively the teachers used the videos to provide the information to complete the assigned tasks and return them to the school the next day. The review of the video lectures by the students allowed the flipped-class an advantage over the traditional lectures that students only heard within the class.
Review
This study exposed a benefit of the flipped-classroom in which it made learning easier through technology. One of the means of doing this were the video lectures that gave the students the opportunity to repeatedly listen to lectures to complete assignments. The results found within the dissertation show that not only did the findings didn’t increase student achievement but the traditional classroom had a higher completion rate of their homework assignments. Parents, teachers, and students were able to see increased engagement to students in the flipped classroom which led to a positive qualitative response. Unfortunately, flipped-classrooms and online learning requires a great deal of motivation to complete the tasks that come with it. It is difficult for the student who lacks the motivation or even the resources to manage. It seems that even though the benefits outweigh the limitations of the flipped classroom, it didn’t prove to be as effective academically towards the effect of the students within the flipped classroom.
Idot Louis - Dissertation Reviews
Introduction
Towards my exposure to the factors that help towards managing technology within the classroom and various learning institutions, I have found that I still have limited views towards what contributes towards the digital learning environment. The dissertations that I selected for this review were elements that I saw as a few of the big factors that are a part of a “flipped classroom.” Reviewing these dissertations gives me a better knowledge base towards the technology that is gradually progressing within modern education practices. Within this review, I will be examining the work on dissertations that evaluates effective blogging throughout the classroom, a study on iPads in the classroom environment, and the benefits as well as efficiency that comes out of a flipped classroom.
Dissertation #1
A case study of classroom blogging in the support of third through fifth grade literacy and technology skills
Ebrecht, B. M. (2014). A case study of classroom blogging in the support of third
through fifth grade literacy and technology skills (Order No. 3644103). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1625402783). Retrieved from __https://login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1625402783?accountid=13965__
Summary
This qualitative study examines blogging as a means to assist 3rd through 5th grade teachers in implementing blogging practices into their reading, writing, and literacy classes. Blogging is examined as an efficient means for students to combine an advancement in skills towards technology and literacy. An important factor towards the study start of this study is how the teachers perceived blogging as an instructional method. After inquiry about the perception of blogging within the classroom from the teachers, five students from each classroom were selected and gave their inquiry on their perception of blogging in the classroom. The inquiry gave teachers a better idea on how their students felt about blogging as a form of literacy instruction. After participation in the blogging study, teachers and students gave insight to others that showed interest into the blogging community. The results of the study showed that teachers found blogging as an effective method in strengthening and enhancing skills in literacy and technology. The students were positive towards blogging and found it as a more favorable means of learning about literacy in the classroom.
Review
The study on blogging gave what I believe a thorough synopsis on the community of what blogging presents for elementary learners. Examples of blogging sites were presented as well as effective blogging practices were presented as a means to enhance the purpose of the study. Technology and web 2.0 tools were evaluated in providing resources that assisted with resources to help develop blogging techniques for teachers as well as students. The grade level of students were appropriate for this study as it motivated 3rd through 5th grade students to become more actively engaged with the blogging process. The results of this study found blogging as a positive means to support literacy instruction.
Dissertation #2
Digital course materials: A case study of the Apple iPad in the academic environment
Bush, M. H. (2011). Digital course materials: A case study of the apple iPad in the
academic environment (Order No. 3457458). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (874080374). Retrieved from __https://login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/874080374?accountid=13965__
Summary
The innovation of the Apple iPad brings interest towards the resources that reinforce classroom learning and instruction. This was a qualitative research study where the intention was to discover how the iPad enhances student learning. A student and focus group were selected to participate in a survey from questions that derived from the learning principles that would make the iPad appropriate as a tool for learning. The research study concentrated more on the understanding on the iPad as an instructional aide som it could be used properly to support educational initiatives throughout the classroom.
Review
In evaluating the study, it was found that the electronic resources within the iPad were as good, if not better, than any printed course materials that were previously used. Since the iPad is a tool that supports digital learning, the perception of how it would increase the function of augmented learning and study within the classroom. Observation within the study showed the unimportance of comprehension, student participation, as well as techniques in writing. The various applications within the iPad were viewed as beneficial towards the course materials that would be needed to help support student learning. As far as literacy is concerned, the e-reader and electronic text capabilities that the iPad supports helps prove its usefulness in reading, writing, and literacy. After the dissertation, it was recommended to iPad programmers and developers that since more iPads would soon be more actively used because of its beneficial features for student engagement and learning, that applications to support these objectives should be created.
Dissertation #3
The efficacy of a flipped learning classroom
Smith, J. P. (2015). The efficacy of a flipped learning classroom (Order No. 3719573).
Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1713692218). Retrieved from __https://login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1713692218?accountid=13965__
Summary
The study within this dissertation makes a comparison of two traditional classrooms to two flipped-classrooms at the fifth grade level. A mixed methods quantitative research was used in implementing this study. The completion of homework and the achievement of the students between the two traditional classrooms and the two flipped-classrooms were used to make the quantitative comparison. The definition of the flipped-classroom incorporated the use of the teachers giving instruction through the use of videos for the students to use to complete homework assignments given by the teacher. The completion of the homework assignments was used to measure how effectively the teachers used the videos to provide the information to complete the assigned tasks and return them to the school the next day. The review of the video lectures by the students allowed the flipped-class an advantage over the traditional lectures that students only heard within the class.
Review
This study exposed a benefit of the flipped-classroom in which it made learning easier through technology. One of the means of doing this were the video lectures that gave the students the opportunity to repeatedly listen to lectures to complete assignments. The results found within the dissertation show that not only did the findings didn’t increase student achievement but the traditional classroom had a higher completion rate of their homework assignments. Parents, teachers, and students were able to see increased engagement to students in the flipped classroom which led to a positive qualitative response. Unfortunately, flipped-classrooms and online learning requires a great deal of motivation to complete the tasks that come with it. It is difficult for the student who lacks the motivation or even the resources to manage. It seems that even though the benefits outweigh the limitations of the flipped classroom, it didn’t prove to be as effective academically towards the effect of the students within the flipped classroom.